Graeme Weekly in his four-wheel-drive ready for the bash through Victoria and New South Wales.
By Sarah Schwager
A CRANBOURNE couple will bash around the country in a four-wheel-drive to raise money for special needs children.
Graeme and Marian Weekly will take part in the 11th annual Variety 4WD Bash next month.
The pair first took part in the event four years ago to help Victoria’s disadvantaged and disabled children and have participated every year since.
Mrs Weekly’s son Lance Thierry, 22, had a massive asthma attack when he was just 12 and ended up in intensive care.
As a result, he was left with brain damage and had to go through rehabilitation at the Royal Children’s Hospital and attended Nepean Special School in Seaford.
Mr Weekly said Variety Australia, the children’s charity, helped pay for Lance’s rehabilitation and he was now out in the workforce.
This year’s 4WD bash will see 15 vehicles track through the bush over nine days from Melbourne via Jindabyne, Goulburn, Orange and Wagga Wagga to Yarrawonga.
The Blue Mountains Adventure leaves on 4 May with the motto of fun and fund raising as people share their common interests of four-wheel-driving and helping children.
Entrants must pay $2750 to enter the 4WD Bash, theme their vehicle, pay for petrol, accommodation and meals, and build up their own donations and sponsors.
Mr Weekly said they had never failed to raise much more than they put in.
“This is something I’ve always wanted to do, it’s not just for Lance,” he said.
“We fund raise all year around for this, starting with a tin rattle at Phillip Island and Bathurst.
“It will be interesting this year because a lot of the places we go through are going to be burnt.”
The 4WD Bash will visit various schools and organisations including the CFA on its journey.
The crew will gather at Marnebek Special School in Cranbourne at 8am on Friday, 4 May and set off at 10am.
For more information on the Variety 4WD Bash or to register call 8698 3900 or visit www.varietyvic.org.au.
